The age of the earth was thus increased from a mere score…
![“The age of the earth was thus increased from a mere score of millions [of years] to a thousand millions and more, and the geologist who had before been bankrupt in time now found himself suddenly transformed into a capitalist with more millions in the bank than he knew how to dispose of ... More…” quote by William Johnson Sollas](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/8a7/william-johnson-sollas-104311_age_the-age-of-the-earth-was-thus-increased_2109917.jpg)
“The age of the earth was thus increased from a mere score of millions [of years] to a thousand millions and more, and the geologist who had before been bankrupt in time now found himself suddenly transformed into a capitalist with more millions in the bank than he knew how to dispose of ... More cautious people, like myself, too cautious, perhaps, are anxious first of all to make sure that the new [radioactive] clock is not as much too fast as Lord Kelvin's was too slow.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator reflects on the rapid expansion of geological time scales and the sudden wealth it brings, while cautioning about the reliability of new dating methods.
In simple terms: Geological time expanded, wealth grew, but trust in new clocks wavers.
Key Takeaway
Question the reliability of new scientific tools.
Themes
science
history
wealth
uncertainty
time
geology
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
Age:1
Anxiety:1
Anxious:1
Capitalist:1
Cautious:1
Clock:1
Earth:1
Firsts:0
Found:0
Geologist:1
Lord:0
Mere:0
Millions:1
Nature:0
People:0
Science:1
Score:0
Thousand:0
Time:1
Transformation:0
Transformed:0
Years:0
Lord Kelvin:0
Age Earth:0
Earth Increased:0
Millions Geologist:0
Increased Mere:0
Capitalist Millions:0
When to use this quote
- academic research
- financial planning
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
chronology
economic shift
scientific skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we verify new scientific measurements?
- What risks accompany sudden wealth?
A Different Perspective
New methods may be flawed.